serving the purposes of God in my generation...

Thursday, January 26, 2012

The Gospel

Monday, January 23, 2012

Prayer is not getting man's will done in heaven, but getting God's will done on earth. It is not overcoming God's reluctance but laying hold of God's willingness.
RC Trench.

Is prayer your spare wheel or your steering wheel?
Corrie Ten Boom.

Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is simply picking up the pieces.
SD Gordon.

The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history.
A Murray.

Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.
DL Moody.

I would rather train twenty men to pray, than a thousand to preach. A minister's highest mission ought to be to teach his people to pray.
H MacGregor.

Let the fires go out in the boiler room of the church and the place will still look smart and clean, but it will be cold. The Prayer Room is the boiler room for it's spiritual life.
L Ravenhill.

The Church has not yet touched the fringe of the possibilities of intercessory prayer. Her largest victories will be witnessed when individual Christians everywhere come to recognize their priesthood unto God and day by day give themselves unto prayer.
JR Mott.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Always Purpose

But Joseph said to them, 'Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.' Genesis 50:19-20

Joseph had reached maturity only as a result of the journey he had been on. He was then able to look back and understand the purpose for which he went through what he did.

We all go through seasons that we don't fully understand. Some can be long. Some can be short.

The worst thing the enemy can do is make you feel like what you are going through has no purpose. This produces fear.

Over the years I have discovered the best way to deal with fear is by speaking out the Word of God. If today you are going through a situation that is difficult or confusing, let the following words soak into your spirit.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

'For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord. 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Jeremiah 29:11

In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in accordance with the purpose of His will. Ephesians 1:11.

We will always be left in the place of trusting Him more.

Study: Job 38

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Our Measure of Christ

The following extract is taken from T Austin Sparks, 'Let The House Be Builded'.

...If it is to be 'Jehovah-shammah'- if it is to be 'The Lord is there', it will be according to the measure of Christ- just how much there is of Christ there. Neither more nor less will God commit Himself. It is not this or that, or many things, that men think constitute a place for God; it is only one thing - how much of Christ is there? Let that go right into our hearts: how much of Christ is there in you and in me?

Does this not explain the infinite pains that God takes, and His preparedness to sacrifice so much, in order to increase our measure of Christ. It is the explanation of so much. Why will He take a very busy and useful servant of His away from His work, and shut him up?-why? We say 'loss', we say 'tragedy', we say the Church suffers; but God knows. It matters more to Him that there should be an increase of Christ there for eternal purposes, than perhaps the doing of a lot of busy things for Him.

Links: www.austin-sparks.net

Monday, January 09, 2012

'Can anything good come from Nazareth?'

'Nazareth!' exclaimed Nathanel. 'Can anything good come from Nazareth?' 'Come and see for yourself' said Philip. John 1:46

A simple verse that reminds me: when God takes hold of a life that is surrendered to His Lordship anything is possible; regardless of background, intelligence, or other people's prejudice.

This is one of the most humbling things I have had the privilege of being a part of; Lives that were once considered 'right offs' or 'useless', now transformed and accomplishing great things for the Kingdom.

Let us never presume someone's lack of potential or ability based on anything, but with joy remind ourselves about the power of the gospel and that we serve a God who is more than able to turn things around.

God loves to take the weak things of this world so as to shame and confuse the wise!

Links: www.prisonfellowship.org.uk

Sunday, January 01, 2012

Happy New Year!

You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream. CS Lewis.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Family

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. Desmond Tutu.

It is at this time of year that many of us look forward to spending time with our family. For Kate and I it is a special time, as both of our brothers lives abroad and we don't get to see them very often. I have been reminded recently about what an incredible privilege it is to be part of God's family. Here are just a few thoughts to encourage you.

We have all been baptised into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13.

It is the same Holy Spirit that qualifies each of us to be a part of this amazing family. My belonging to the People of God has no bearing on my ability or performance, it is simply because the Spirit of God lives in me. So far as God is concerned we all stand side by side and we all belong.

Therefore, I never have to feel inadequate about myself and I should never look down upon anyone else within the Church. You belong to a people who are undeniably unified, everyone of us being one with Christ and so one with each other.

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body... Romans 12:4.

The Church is a stunning array of personalities, colors, strengths, skills, passions, and languages. I am proud to belong to such a people. The prophetic word that came to our local Church recently encouraged us, 'For I will cause a people to stand together who between them display the full range of my glory.'

We are 'one body', but embrace the fact that you are different to those around you. Be encouraged that there are exploits planned by God that only you can do! Know that God calls you to be yourself in displaying His glory to the world.

As we continue to grow in our understanding of who we are as the People of God, we are encouraged to change the way in which we look at ourselves, and perhaps more importantly, change the way in which we look at those around us.

When Kate and I drive to work every day we pass a huge poster that says, 'It's all about YOU this Christmas.' We smile at this perfect summary of the world in which we live.

Let us be those who choose to honor one another before ourselves, recognizing just what a privilege it is to be part of this wonderful family. In the day-to-day of busy life, it is easy sometimes to take our families for-granted. We can forget how much we actually appreciate and value them. Go out of your way this week to show someone in the Church how much you care for them.

Here in Cardiff, we often hear the expression 'the best people in the world' to describe who we are, let us treat each other accordingly and let the world take a good look!

Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:10-30, Romans 12:3-8, Revelation 5:9.